Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ particularly characterized by fully everbearing, vigorous, high yielding plants with firm, medium red fruit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Fragaria×ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietydesignated ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ and botanically known asFragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered in Kent,United Kingdom in August 2007 and originated from a cross between theproprietary female parent ‘Driscoll Jubilee’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.15,435) and the proprietary male parent ‘Canterbury’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 12,577). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated viatissue culture and vegetative cuttings in Kent, United Kingdom in 2007.

‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ underwent further testing in Kent, United Kingdomfor five years (2008-2012). The present invention has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexualpropagations via stolons and tissue culture.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date ofthis application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Kent, United Kingdom.

-   -   1. Fully everbearing;    -   2. Vigorous, high yielding plants; and    -   3. Firm, medium red fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the newvariety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as trueas can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.The photographs were taken from five to six month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of the plant withthree leaflets.

FIG. 2 shows the upper and lower surfaces of the flowers.

FIG. 3 shows whole plants with flowers and fruit.

FIG. 4 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 5 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Kent, United Kingdomfrom 2008 to 2012. This description is in accordance with UPOVterminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The botanicaldescription of ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ was taken from five to sixmonth-old plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. ColourChart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant IdentificationTerminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harrisand Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria×ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘Driscoll Jubilee’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,435).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘Canterbury’ (U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 12,577).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—43.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—54.7 cm.        -   Number of crowns/plant.—3.        -   Habit.—Globose — semi-upright        -   Density of individual plant.—Medium.        -   Vigor (health and hardiness of plant).—Medium.-   Terminal leaflets:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Length: 9.70 cm. Width: 8.55 cm. Length/width            ratio: 1.1 (Longer than broad).        -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—21.        -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS N137A (Medium green). Lower            surface: RHS 137B (Medium green).        -   Shape in cross section.—Flat — straight.        -   Blistering.—Medium.        -   Glossiness.—Absent or weak.        -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Shape.—Oval.        -   Base shape.—Acute.        -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Margin profile.—Revolute (margins rolled backwards).-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Medium; 26.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—3.94 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Pose of hairs.—Slightly upwards.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green).        -   Bracts.—Absent.-   Petiolule:    -   -   Length.—10.83 mm.        -   Diameter.—2.73 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green).-   Stipule:    -   -   Length.—3.30 mm.        -   Width.—8.27 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Dense.        -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Medium; RHS 47D (Medium            red).-   Stolon:    -   -   Number.—Medium.        -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—7.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak; RHS 145A (Light            yellow-green).        -   Diameter at bract.—5.39 mm.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Above.        -   Number of flowers.—Medium.        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Medium;            July 1^(st)-July 25^(th).        -   Flower size.—Medium.        -   Diameter.—26.49 mm.        -   Petals.—Shape: Orbicular. Apex: Rounded. Base: Rounded.            Margin: Entire. Spacing: Overlapping. Length: 11.24 mm.            Width: 11.22 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.0 (As long as broad).            Petal number per flower: 6. Color (upper surface): RHS            NN155B (White).        -   Calyx.—Diameter: 25.82 mm. Diameter relative to corolla:            Same size. Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Same            size. Insertion of calyx: Level. Pose of calyx segments:            Spreading to outwards. Size of calyx in relation to fruit:            Same size. Adherence of calyx: Medium.        -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire.            Length: 9.35 mm. Width: 4.45 mm. Sepal number per flower: 6.        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 151B (Medium yellow-green).        -   Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS 13A (Medium yellow).        -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Length.—Medium; 37.7 cm.        -   Diameter at base of truss.—5.07 mm.        -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—6.        -   Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.        -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 144C (Light yellow-green).-   Fruit:    -   -   Relative fruit size.—Medium.        -   Length.—35.64 mm.        -   Width.—32.78 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.1 (Longer than broad).        -   Fruit hollow length.—25.38 mm.        -   Fruit hollow width.—7.99 mm.        -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—3.2.        -   Fruit hollow center (cavity).—Small.        -   Weight (per individual berry).—18.76 g.        -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary            fruits.—None or very slight.        -   Evenness of fruit surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 46B (Medium red).        -   Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit glossiness.—Weak.        -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Level with surface.            Coloration: Sunward side of berry: RHS 165B (Medium            greyed-orange). Shaded side of berry: RHS 164A (Medium            greyed-orange). Number per berry: 280.0. Weight (weight of            achenes divided by total # seed): 0.6 mg. Width of band            without achenes: Absent or very narrow.        -   Firmness of flesh (when fully ripe).—Firm.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 33A (Medium            orange-red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 33A (Medium orange-red).        -   Evenness of flesh color.—Slightly uneven.        -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.        -   Sweetness.—Medium; average 8.9 °Brix.        -   Acidity.—Medium.        -   Texture when tasted.—Fine.        -   Type of bearing.—Fully everbearing — fully remontant.        -   Grams of fruit/plant.—1100.0 g.        -   Harvest interval.—Late June to early October.        -   Harvest maturity.—Late.-   Disease and pest resistance:    -   -   Botrytis fruit rot.—Moderately resistant.        -   Powdery mildew.—Moderately resistant.        -   Verticillium wilt.—Moderately resistant.-   Reaction to stress: None observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ is compared to the female parent plant‘Driscoll Jubilee’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,435), ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’has much higher fruit yield, heavier stipule pubescence, and firmerfruit than ‘Driscoll Jubilee’.

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ is compared to the male parent plant‘Canterbury’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,577), ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ ismore vigorous, and has smaller, less sweet, and more acidic fruit than‘Canterbury’.

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ is compared to the commercial variety‘DrisStrawTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,878), ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ hasmedium leaf blistering, absent or very weak stolon anthocyanincoloration, and an absent or very narrow width of band without achenes,whereas ‘DrisStrawTwo’ has strong leaf blistering, strong stolonanthocyanin coloration, and a medium width of band without achenes.Additionally, ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ has weak fruit glossiness, whereas‘DrisStrawTwo’ has strong fruit glossiness.

When ‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ is compared to the commercial variety‘Driscoll Camarillo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,771),‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ has an average of 3 crowns per plant, a mediumplant density and conical shaped fruit with weak glossiness, whereas‘Driscoll Camarillo’ has an average of 4.8 crowns per plant, an openplant density and cordate shaped fruit with strong glossiness.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawThirtyEight’ as described and illustrated herein.